Welcome!
The Health and Nutrition Services Division is committed to enhancing the health and wellbeing of Arizona’s children and adults by providing access to a variety of federally funded programs.
School Nutrition Programs
School Nutrition Programs is here to safeguard the health and well-being of the nation’s children by establishing good eating habits and providing adequate food for the children.
Learn more about the various programs and their requirements by visiting the National School Lunch Program webpage.
Learn more about the various programs and their requirements by visiting the National School Lunch Program webpage.
School Nutrition Programs consist of:
-
-
- National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
- School Breakfast Program (SBP)
- After School Care Snack Program (ASCSP)
- Special Milk Program (SMP)
-
Provisions to these programs:
School Food Programs
The School Food Programs administers the USDA Foods Program (formerly the Commodity Food Program), Department of Defense (DoD) Fresh Produce Program, Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) and, Farm to School and School Garden programs. The overarching goal is to provide access to nutritious foods that support the National School Lunch, School Breakfast, Summer Food Service Programs and, other programs administered at schools.
Community Nutrition Programs
School Health & Safety
Physical Activity, Recess, Physical Education & Health Education
Physical Activity in childhood and adolescence is important for promoting lifelong health and well-being and preventing various health conditions. Schools are in a unique position to help children and adolescents get the nationally recommended 60 minutes of physical activity each day.
Recess is “a regularly scheduled period in the school day for physical activity and play that is monitored by trained staff or volunteers”. During recess, students are encouraged to be physically active and engaged with their peers in activities of their choice, at all grade levels, kindergarten through 12thgrade.
Physical Education is a school-based instructional opportunity for students to gain the necessary skills and knowledge for lifelong participation in physical activity. Physical education is characterized by a planned, sequential K-12 curriculum (course of study) that provides cognitive content and learning experiences in a variety of activity areas. Quality physical education programs assist students in achieving the national standards for K-12 physical education. The outcome of an effective physical education program is a physically literate individual who has the knowledge, skills, and confidence to enjoy a lifetime of healthful physical activity. Effective Physical Education Teachers base their teaching on the Arizona standards for K-12 Physical Education in order to provide students with a foundation of skills and knowledge that can apply to many activities so that students are willing, able, and interested in seeking lifetime enjoyment of physical activity.
Health Education provides students with opportunities to acquire the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary for making health-promoting decisions, achieving health literacy, adopting health-enhancing behaviors, and promoting the health of others. Comprehensive school health education includes courses of study (curricula) for students in Pre-K through grade 12 that address a variety of topics such as alcohol and other drug use and abuse, healthy eating/nutrition, mental and emotional health, personal health and wellness, physical activity, safety and injury prevention, sexual health, tobacco use, and violence prevention.
Recess is “a regularly scheduled period in the school day for physical activity and play that is monitored by trained staff or volunteers”. During recess, students are encouraged to be physically active and engaged with their peers in activities of their choice, at all grade levels, kindergarten through 12thgrade.
Physical Education is a school-based instructional opportunity for students to gain the necessary skills and knowledge for lifelong participation in physical activity. Physical education is characterized by a planned, sequential K-12 curriculum (course of study) that provides cognitive content and learning experiences in a variety of activity areas. Quality physical education programs assist students in achieving the national standards for K-12 physical education. The outcome of an effective physical education program is a physically literate individual who has the knowledge, skills, and confidence to enjoy a lifetime of healthful physical activity. Effective Physical Education Teachers base their teaching on the Arizona standards for K-12 Physical Education in order to provide students with a foundation of skills and knowledge that can apply to many activities so that students are willing, able, and interested in seeking lifetime enjoyment of physical activity.
Health Education provides students with opportunities to acquire the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary for making health-promoting decisions, achieving health literacy, adopting health-enhancing behaviors, and promoting the health of others. Comprehensive school health education includes courses of study (curricula) for students in Pre-K through grade 12 that address a variety of topics such as alcohol and other drug use and abuse, healthy eating/nutrition, mental and emotional health, personal health and wellness, physical activity, safety and injury prevention, sexual health, tobacco use, and violence prevention.